Trump selects Duffy as interim NASA head
By: Eric Lagatta
USA Today
..... Transpiration Secretary Sean Duffy is about to perform double duty after President Donald Trump named him to lead NASA on an interim basis.
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News of Duffy's appointment comes during a turbulent period in NASA's history, as the U.S. space agency face potentially steep budget cuts and has grappled with workforce reductions. NASA has found itself without a full-time administrator since Bill Nelson stepped down on January 20, [2025] the day of Trump's inauguration.
..... Trump gave Duffy a glowing vote of confidence when announcing his new appointment.
..... "He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, seen if only for a short period of time," Trump said in a Truth Social post on July 9. [2025]
..... In his own post on X shortly after the president's announcement, Duffy - former Wisconsin Republican representative and reality TV star - said he is "honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let's launch."
..... Duffy will succeed acting Administrator Janet Petro, a longtime NASA executive who, according to The New York Times, will step down after leading the agency since the start of the Trump administration.
..... Duffy, 52, was confirmed January 28 [2025] by the SE ante as transpiration secretary.
..... At his confirmation hearing on January 15, [2025] Duffy said he would prioritize adding more air traffic controllers to improve aviation safety while promising to work with Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates Boeing, to restore international confidence in the plane manufacturer after fatal crashed overseas.
..... Duffy represented Wisconsin in the U.S. House from 2011-2019.
..... But long before his political career, Duffy was a cast member on MTV's reality series "The Real World: Boston" during its sixth season. He met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, who hosts "Fox & Friends Weekend," while filming for an MTV show.
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Billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has been to space twice under missions he bankrolled with SpaceX, had been Trump's first choice to lead NASA.
..... But Trump, suddenly pulled Isaacman's bid in late May. [2025] The decision came after Isaacman had cleared the Senate Commence Committee in April [2025] and appeared on track for a full Senate vote.
..... Trump discussed Issaacman's nomination July 6 [2025] in a long social media post bashing his former ally and adviser Elon Musk, saying he thought it would have been "inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon ... run NASA."
..... Trump further said of Isaaceman that he "was surprised to learn that he was a blue-blooded Democrat, who had never contributed to a Republican before."
..... Trump;s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, would slash NASA funding by nearly 25% - from $2.8 billion to $18.8 billion - mostly by eliminating a significant portion of the agency's science portfolio.
..... And on July 10, [2025] news broke that anorak 2,145 senior-ranking employees at NASA ear set to leave under a push to shed staff Politico reported, citing documents obtained
..... Contributing: Bart Jansen, USA today; Reuters